"Xiao Yi, are you alright?"
Upon entering the scene, the first thing the Southern Yue Emperor, Dugu Qingcang, did was focus all his attention on his most favored daughter, asking with great concern.
"I'm fine, Father Emperor," a sweet voice replied from Dugu Xiao Yi, melting Dugu Qingcang's heart. He then turned his gaze to Lu Zihang, "Father Emperor, this person, who claims to be backed by the Duke of Zhen Guo, bullied me."
"Mm."
Hearing Dugu Xiao Yi's words, Lu Zihang truly wished he could die at that moment. Damn it, if his maternal grandfather found out about today's events, he would likely be beaten so badly his own parents wouldn't recognize him.
With a thud, he kowtowed his head to the ground. Even if Lu Zihang were foolish, he knew what to do at this moment. "Your Majesty, this humble one has eyes but cannot recognize..."
*Slam!*
Before Lu Zihang could finish, his maternal grandfather, the Nine Nether Sacred Lord, Lin Cangqiong, struck him across the face from afar. "You dare bully my Nine Nether Sacred Maiden, how audacious!"
"The Duke of Zhen Guo indeed wields great authority!"
*Gulp~*
Severely injured by a single palm strike, Lu Zihang dared not utter a sound. He scrambled up and once again fell to his knees. Feng Tang's mouth twitched, and he quickly spoke up, "Sacred Lord, please calm your anger. Zihang does not know the Little Princess."
He did this because he truly feared that the Emperor's father-in-law would beat his nephew to death.
Moreover, he understood clearly that even if it were him now, or even his own father, the Duke of Zhen Guo, they would only be sidelined in the presence of this Nine Nether Sacred Lord.
Lin Cangqiong then turned his gaze to Feng Tang, musing, "You are the son of the Duke of Zhen Guo, aren't you?"
"Cough, cough, yes, Sacred Lord."
After speaking, he quickly added, "When I return, I will surely discipline this brat along with my father."
"I beg of Your Majesty and the Sacred Lord to show leniency beyond the law!!"
With a thud, Feng Tang knelt on both knees. At this moment, he represented not the enforcement team but himself. Naturally, he wouldn't maintain a single-knee kneel, for only this could show his sincerity.
"Mm."
Emperor Dugu Qingcang glanced at Feng Tang. "Go back and have your father come to see me."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Hearing Dugu Qingcang's words, Feng Tang breathed a deep sigh of relief. He understood that His Majesty wasn't excessively angered, likely due to his father's and his own years of loyal service. Otherwise, with the Emperor's wrath, ten Dukes of Zhen Guo wouldn't be enough.
"Disperse."
With a slight nod, Dugu Qingcang waved his hand. Feng Tang respectfully acknowledged and then dispersed the crowd kneeling in the marketplace.
A short while later.
In the scene, only the Southern Yue Emperor, the Nine Nether Sacred Lord, and Ye Xuan's group remained.
"This young friend, please come this way."
The Southern Yue Emperor's gaze fell on Ye Xuan, as he sensed a trace of threat from this young man, naturally knowing his extraordinary origins.
Meanwhile, Feng Tang led Lu Zihang away.
"Uncle, I... will the Little Princess not hold a grudge against me?"
Recalling the scene just now, Lu Zihang asked his uncle with a face full of apprehension and unease.
"What, you're scared now?"
Feng Tang glared at Lu Zihang. "I've told you long ago to restrain your temper in Immortal City. Do you know that your entire Lu family and your maternal grandfather were almost brought to utter ruin just now?"
"If not for your maternal grandfather and my efforts for His Majesty over the years, do you think His Majesty would have let you, who bullied the Little Princess, leave so easily?"
"I..."
Hearing his uncle's words, Lu Zihang gulped, wanting to say something but ultimately remaining silent. After all, he knew his uncle was right.
*Swish~*
Just then, a figure streaked over from afar. This person was an elite from the enforcement team. "Lord Feng, the portrait of the Xuan Alliance Leader has been obtained."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing the man's words, Feng Tang immediately took the scroll. He had learned some time ago that the Xuan Alliance Leader was heading towards their Southern Yue Immortal City and had specifically ordered a search for his portrait to handle the matter with caution.
After all, the Xuan Alliance had consecutively annihilated two sixth-rank forces, making them worthy of attention from the Southern Yue Immortal Kingdom.
The portrait was unfurled, and a familiar face appeared in his sight.
Upon seeing this, Feng Tang's pupils suddenly contracted, and his expression changed dramatically!
"What!!"
"How could it be him!?"
The person in the portrait at this moment was none other than the young man who had just stood behind the Little Princess.
"Uncle, what's wrong?"
"The Xuan Alliance Leader... uh~~"
Mid-sentence, Lu Zihang also saw the face in the portrait. His eyes widened to the extreme, his face filled with shock and disbelief. "It's him!!"
"Uncle, that person just now was... the Xuan Alliance Leader!!!"
*Gulp~*
Thinking of this, Lu Zihang swallowed hard. Damn it, he was completely stunned at this moment. Damn it, he had almost offended someone comparable to His Majesty the Emperor.
"I was careless."
Feng Tang felt a chill run down his spine. "The Xuan Alliance Leader has actually come to Immortal City. That fellow once single-handedly destroyed the headquarters of the Taotie Holy Land. Conservatively estimating, his strength is at least at the second-tier Immortal Lord realm."
"Hiss..."
Lu Zihang took a deep breath. How could he not have heard of the Xuan Alliance Leader's prowess?
With the strength of a single alliance, they stood against five sixth-rank forces. It could be said he was monstrously talented. With this record alone, his overall strength was likely sufficient to rank among seventh-rank forces, let alone the subsequent annihilation of the Taotie Holy Land and the Divine Xuan Immortal Kingdom.
"My heavens!!"
Thinking back now, Lu Zihang was still filled with lingering fear. He slapped himself hard. "This... is real."
It was clear he wanted to verify if he was dreaming, and the answer was obvious: this was no dream.
"Hoo~"
Feng Tang let out a deep sigh and then looked at Lu Zihang. "You brat, you almost brought a great enemy to the Southern Yue Immortal Kingdom!"
"If, because of you, the Xuan Alliance becomes hostile with the Southern Yue Immortal Kingdom, you will be unforgivable."
This matter was too serious. After a moment of thought, he decided, "Moreover, your maternal grandfather must not know about this, or he will definitely cripple you."
"At least... he can't know for a while."
Feng Tang said this because he knew his father's temper too well. Crippling his nephew would be the least of it; he would absolutely drag Lu Zihang to apologize to His Majesty the Emperor.
His father, as a confidant of His Majesty the Emperor, had dedicated his life to the Southern Yue Immortal Kingdom. He would never allow criticism to be brought upon the Southern Yue Immortal Kingdom because of him.
*Thump~*
At this moment, Lu Zihang's legs went weak, and he sat on the ground, staring blankly in the direction Ye Xuan's group had left. "What... what did I just do~~"